Summer 2019 ■ Vol. 42, Issue 2 A news magazine of PACER Center, Inc. | Champions for Children | (952) 838-9000 | PACER.org Children's mental health ‘Good Vibrations’ from The symposium is Aug. 12 Beach Boys at PACER’s Benefit The 14th Annual National PACER Symposium About Children and Young Adults with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities will be held on Monday, Aug. 12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The keynote speakers are top-notch presenters who relate well to audiences. They include Richard G. Petty, M.D., a world-renowned authority on the brain and an accredited specialist in psychiatry, neurology, internal medicine, and nutrition. Also presenting is Rosemarie Allen, Ed.D., who is president and CEO for the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence, the lead agency for ensuring equity in educational The Beach Boys perform at PACER's 37th Annual Benefit practices throughout Richard G. Petty, M.D. the nation. She is an The highlight of PACER’s 37th Annual Benefit, presented by assistant professor in Starkey Hearing Technologies, was the incredible performance the School of Education by The Beach Boys, led by original member Mike Love. It was an at Metropolitan State evening of great music for a great cause on Saturday, May 11 at the University in Denver. Minneapolis Convention Center, when the celebrated supergroup performed their greatest hits in front of iconic footage from the The Symposium is 1960s. All proceeds from the evening support PACER’s work, designed to help parents which is free to families of children with disabilities and children and professionals better who are bullied. identify and address mental health and Rosemarie Allen, Ed.D. “More than one guest told me that this was an evening they’ll learning disabilities in never forget,” said Paula Goldberg, PACER Executive Director. “It children and youth. Attendees will receive high- was so much fun to watch people dancing to The Beach Boys! The quality training and resources regarding children’s audience sang along enthusiastically and really had the time of mental health and learning disabilities, effective their lives. It is easy to see why The Beach Boys are one of the most treatment, and positive teaching and intervention influential and enduring acts in popular music.” strategies. Andrew Zimmern, the renowned chef, restaurateur, and host of Professionals who attend will be eligible for 6 CEU the Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, was Clock Hours. The cost for this day-long event is entertaining as he emceed the evening’s performance. Andrew $35, and lunch will be provided. This event fills up also presented the Otto Bremer Leadership Award to Talia Malka, quickly, so those interested should reserve soon. 'Benefit' continued on page 8 To register, go to PACER.org/symposium or call PACER at (952) 838-9000. Pacesetter | summer 2019 1 Go, Walter, Go! PACER gives kids keys to mobility and independence Walter Blendermann may be only three years old, but he’s already on his second car through the Go Baby Go project from PACER’s Simon Technology Center. Walter currently drives a jeep that was modified for his use by PACER staff Elizabeth Barry, Paul Sanft, and Scott Silver through the Go Baby Go project, which adapts motorized cars for preschool children with disabilities. Walter, who has a rare neurological syndrome and developmental delays, outgrew his first Lightning McQueen car, which was modified for him when he was 18 months old. Today, the jeep he tools around in has room for a passenger: most often his little sister, Gianna. “The cars give Walter a degree of independent mobility he wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Pam Blendermann, Walter’s mother. “They’ve also made a real difference in other ways. Driving the cars has helped his physical, mental, and emotional development.” She noted that the cars have been good for Walter’s social life, too. “His peers see him in this cool car, instead of a wheelchair.” Walter Blendermann Pam is full of praise for PACER staff. “We are so grateful for the passion and creativity of the PACER team,” she be difficult, so they were creative and designed a piece to said. “It is so heartwarming to us, as Walter’s parents. adapt the seating using a 3D printer! So many parts of Walter’s life feel difficult, and present limitations. PACER’s staff helps us turn difficulties into “They’re very excited to make things work for our kiddo. opportunities. If the car could go too fast, they’d ask, how That lifts us up as Walter’s parents.” can we make it safer for Walter? Seating can sometimes Celebrating 40 years of PACER Center and Parents Helping Parents PACER's original staff members met with current PACER staff in April to talk about their memories of when PACER first opened its doors with the Parents Helping Parents project in 1978. Standing: Rianne Leaf, Joan Schoepke, Evelyn Anderson, PACER co-founder Marge Goldberg, Polly Edmonds, and Virginia Richardson. Front row: Marci Bergdahl, LeAnne Nelson, and PACER's Executive Director and co-founder Paula Goldberg. 2 Pacesetter | summer 2019 Mara MacMillan: ‘PACER is part of my family’ Mara MacMillan’s happiness and trains her three young is infectious. Vivacious and Labrador Retrievers. “I have engaging, with a smile that three babies at home,” she said. lights up every room, she is “They are well-trained and very one of those people who makes obedient, which is great. Their friends wherever she goes. “I names are Hugo, Leo, and Sir am outgoing and spunky,” Mara Walter Elias Disney.” The name said, and everyone who knows of her last dog is a clue to one her would agree. Mara has of Mara’s major passions: all Williams syndrome, a genetic things Disney. She’s visited developmental disorder. She Disney parks multiple times also has an incredibly full life. and is always planning her next trip. As the winner of the Mara, who is 33 years old, is custom Disney Parks package the oldest of five siblings. “We at PACER’s 2019 Benefit, Mara are a big, tight-knit family,” she is excited to go to Disney this said. Several of her siblings are summer. “I’m going soon, very married, and she is excitedly soon!” she said. looking forward to becoming an aunt for the first time in the fall. Mara loves to travel and “The baby is due on October 31! has enjoyed visiting many I’m going to be the aunt who international destinations. This spoils the baby.” summer she will be traveling to several European countries Mara says that PACER is also as part of a group of young her family. She volunteers as Mara and her mom, Muffy MacMillan, at Disney World travelers with disabilities. She a member of PACER’s Benefit has been part of the group for many years. Mara recently committee and every year she is onstage at the Benefit to visited Japan and loved it, though she said that she regrets draw the winner of the raffle. “I love PACER so much! not being able to visit Tokyo Disneyland. “Disney is PACER has been with me my whole life. I don’t know where my heart is,” she said. what I’d do without PACER. It’s so much fun for me to be on PACER’s Benefit committee. PACER is part of Mara likes to be busy and enjoys helping others. She my family,” Mara said. “Paula [Goldberg] is an amazing volunteers at a local home for seniors. It’s a perfect job woman and friend!” for someone as friendly and outgoing as Mara. “It’s really fun to help them. I help with Bingo, putting out cards and Mara is especially proud that her brother, Win, started making sure the residents are happy,” she said. PACER’s Fun Times program, which connects teens and young adults with and without disabilities for social “Williams syndrome is amazing,” Mara said. “I’m glad activities, friendship, and fun. Mara was Win’s inspiration I have it. I’m glad to be a human being with a disability, for Fun Times, and they participated together for years. and I’m glad there are people like my friends at PACER who are willing to help me be who I am.” Mara’s dogs are also part of her family. She cares for I’m glad to be a human being with a disability, and I’m glad there are people like my friends at PACER who are willing to help me be who I am. “ – Mara MacMillan Pacesetter | summer” 2019 3 PACER’s Unity Awards: Recognizing leaders in kindness PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and its • United for Acceptance. Jamie Pernick and John Faces of Change Youth Advisory Boards (Minnesota and Efthemis spearhead their Lancaster, New York Los Angeles) presented the fifth annual Unity Awards high school’s “Bands Against Bullying” event every on May 22 at PACER Center. The Youth Advisory Board year, volunteering hundreds of hours for this event, members of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention which touches on themes of bullying, racism, gender Center chose the award recipients from nominations identification, and academic issues. received across the United States. • United for Kindness. Riverhead Peacemakers is Sven Sundgaard, the Sunrise meteorologist at Twin a group of New York state fourth graders who are Cities NBC affiliate KARE-11, was the evening’s emcee. role models, leading a district-wide Great Kindness Sven said, “Tonight is a special evening of recognizing Challenge where students complete as many kind individuals and groups both locally and nationally who deeds as possible.